Universal applique armor

ABSTRACT

An envelope or panel member having formed therein a plurality of angled holding slots adopted to loosely support armor elements disposed in the designated holding slots. Air space areas within the envelope can be sealed or filled with plastic, or the like, depending on need for buoyancy to overall vehicle design. In this developed form, a complete panel or envelope is ready for application to the side of an armored vehicle.

United States Patent [191 Pagano et a1.

UNIVERSAL APPLIQUE ARMOR Inventors: Victor H. Pagano, Rochester;

Zygmunt J. Fabrykowski, Detroit, both of Mich.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of theArmy, Washington, DC.

Filed: Sept. 6, 1968 Appl. No.: 758,656

Assignee:

US. Cl. 89/36 H Int. Cl. F41h 7/04 Field of Search 89/36 R, 36 A, 36 H;105/394; 109/49.5, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS White 114/12 Steinmetz 114/84 451Oct. 16, 1973 1,508,421 9/1924 Taegen 109/83 1,632,360 6/1927 Wilson296/24 2,032,344 3/1936 Barrows et a1 52/627 X 2,379,266 6/1945 Whiton114/14 X 3,228,361 1/1966 Ritter 109/84 3,351,374 11/1967 Forsyth et a189/36 Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley Att0rney--Harry M. Saragovitz,Edward J. Kelly, Herbert Berl and Maxwell V. Wallace [5 7] ABSTRACT Anenvelope or panel member having formed therein a plurality of angledholding slots adopted to loosely support armor elements disposed in thedesignated holding slots. Air space areas within the envelope can besealed or filled with plastic, or the like, depending on need forbuoyancy to overall vehicle design. In this developed form, a completepanel or envelope is ready for application to the side of an armoredvehicle.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures UNIVERSAL APPLIQUE ARMOR The inventiondescribed herein may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for theGovernment for governmental purposes without payment to us for anyroyalty thereon.

This invention relates to armor, and more particularly to a new andimproved unique panel device which may be quickly detachably secured tothe outside of a military vehicle, or the like, to provide added armorprotection therefor.

The invention consists of a new and unique envelope or panel memberhaving therein a plurality of angled holding slots adopted to looselysupport armor elements placed in the designated holding slots. Air spaceareas within the envelope can be sealed or filled with plastics, or thelike, depending on need for buoyancy to overall vehicle design. In thisdeveloped form, a complete panel or envelope is ready for application tothe side of an armored vehicle, the same being accomplished by insertingthe envelope into opposed rail or channel members attached to the sideof the vehicle. The panel is then locked in place by means of lockingpins.

The general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a morepractical and economical means of applying known projectile defeatingmaterials and principles in combat vehicles. Underlying projectiledefeating mechanism for this concept has been tested and proven underanother development known as Lightweight Applique Ribbed Armor and setforth in a copending application, Ser. No. 697,565 filed 9 Jan. 68. Thepresent invention is viewed as a major step forward over the aboveidentified disclosure.

The design concept proposed herein eliminates design and materialproblems currently being encountered in attempts to functionally adoptribbed and composite armor configurations in vehicles. Specificallythese involve difficulties created by the necessity to fabricate bywelding and/or to make special mechanical attachments.

The above and other objects of the invention will more fully appear fromthe following more detailed description, and from the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of a combat vehicle with the envelopes or panelsmounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing how the envelope seats in the lowerenvelope supporting channel.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the envelope per se.

FIG. 4 shows an insert armor element.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the preferred form of envelope showing thesame mounted on a tank by means of upper and lower channel members.

FIG. 6 is a cross section showing an alternate form of envelope.

FIG. 7 is a cross section showing a further alternate form of envelope.

FIG. 8 is a cross section showing a still further alternate form ofenvelope; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternate form of envelopeshowing vertical spars therein.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an armoredvehicle having mounted on the opposed sides thereof a plurality ofenvelope or panel members 12, the same having mounted angularly thereina plurality of support members 14, the entire unit being formed ofaluminum, or the like. Numberal I6 designates an upper support channelor rail, the

same running the entire length of tank llll and having openings 24therein to receive locking pins 22. A lower channel member 20, isprovided, the same running the entire length of tank III and havingmounted therein a shock-dampener and holding spring 18. Numeral 26designates cross webbing and holding slots, air of fill spaces 30.Numeral 32 designates insert armor, FIG. 4, the same comprisingrectangularly shaped insert elements adapted to be inserted in betweenand to rest upon supporting members 14.

Alternate forms of prefabricated envelopes 12 are shown in FIGS. 5, 6,7, 8, and 9, the same comprising the same type of envelope shown in FIG.3, but in FIG. 5 supports or webbing are used. In FIG. 6 the insertarmor supporting members 114 are arranged to form a succession ofV-shaped openings into which are inserted insert armor plates 32 inopposed position within envelope 12 to provide additional means toshatter and break up a projectile after the same has passed through theouter surface of the envelope. In FIG. 7, the insert armor 32 issupported within the envelope minus the webbing 28. FIG. 8 shows thesupporting members as superimposed paralleltransverse supports for useonly on oblique vehicle surfaces; and FIG. 9 shows a different type ofenvelope wherein front 36 and back 38, skin members have sandwichedtherebetween spaced apart vertical spar members 40 having formed thereinangular slots 42 adapted to receive and hold insert elements 44.

The manner in which the device is used, is as follows:

It has been found that the optimum armor design for a combat vehicle isto employ a combination of armor materials an outside envelope or panelwhich provides a container adapted to uniquely hold materials which willshatter and break up a projectile and a backup plate which will absorbthe resultant dispersion of fragments. Since aluminum is readilyfabricated and performs most effectively as an absorber of fragments, ithas been the material most often preferred as the inner layer or vehicleshell structure. The outer layer or applique material, has been open toa broad group of materials and configurations.

The common material prerequisite in these appliques is to reliablyinduce projectile shattering. This has been achieved through the used ofhigh hardness materials. As indicated above, constructional economics,ease of fabrication by welding, and ballistic effectiveness supportaluminum as the best choice for the basic vehicle shell. Higher rigidityfor the weight is also achieved.

As shown best in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the rectangularlyshaped box-like envelope member 12, is formed of aluminum, or the like,with angled holding slots 14 loaded with metallic inserts or provenmaterial type or combination ,32, to make the envelope an armorapplique. These metallic elements extend the entire width of theenvelope l2 and are of the same configuration as the holding member andcan be of various thicknesses. The choice of material used for theinsert element is determined by cost-weight characteristics necessary toachieve maximum break-up of an impacting projectile while stillretaining intact surfaces for sustaining subsequent hits. Placement ofthese insert elements is achieved by simply sliding or pressing in placewithin the slots in the envelope one or more inserts in each angularsupport member. A change or removal of elements when necessary can alsobe made in similar fashion. Insert elements could be prepared fromcurrent low cost 500 BHN alloy (i.e., XAR-30) steel, or harder (600 BHN)alloy steel 0.45c, plain high carbon steel 1080 or ceramic tile (backedwith doron or high hardness steel). Air space areas 30 can be sealed orfilled with plastics depending on need for buoyancy to overall vehicledesign. In this developed form, a complete panel or module of appliquearmor is ready for application to the vehicle.

Application of envelope 12 to tank back-up plate 26 is achieved throughupper and lower support channels 16, 20, by pressing the panel firstinto lower channel 20 against spring member 18, which runs the entirelength of the channel. Once the spring has been depressed by the bottomof envelope 12, the envelope is tilted forward until the top of theenvelope engages upper channel l6 and when pressure is released theenvelope snaps into place, as shown in FIG. 5. Or the reverse of theabove would be satisfactory, spring 18 could be placed in channel 16 andthe top of the envelope could be inserted in the upper channel and theenvelope swung into lower channel 20 and snapped into place. The panelis firmly retained in place by insertion of locking pin 22 which passthrough opening 24 in the channels 16, 20, through the envelope and oninto back-up plate 26 to hold the envelope against movement.

The envelopes are secured to the back-up plate in series on each side ofthe vehicle, as shown best in FIG. 1 of the drawings, and can be securedto each end of the vehicle, if desired, for added protection.

Although aluminum is suggested for use in fabricating the envelope orpanel, the container design offers many ways for lightweightconstruction while still affording needed structural strength, such asuse of magesium, titanium or aluminum alloys fabricated from sheet metalor fabricated by extrusion methods. It also suggests alternate designembodiments which permit simple alteration for improved ballistic designof new or established vehicle design by simply spacing the panel fromthe back-up plate (primary vehicle structure) or changing the materialtype of thickness of the insert elements.

In the alternate type of envelope shown in FIG. 6, the holding supports14 are arranged within the envelope 12 to form a succession of V-shapedopenings adapted to receive insert armor in opposed position also V-shaped.

The alternate shown in FIG. 7 discloses the insert supports in much thesame position as shown in FIG. 5, but without the transverse webs, andthe alternate shown in FIG. 8, wherein the spaced transverse insertsupports are located within the envelope parallel to each other andfinds usage only on oblique vehicle surfaces. As to the alternate shownin FIG. 9, the same comprises a lightweight construction consisting oftwo opposed skins 36, 38, having sandwiched therebetween vertical sparmembers 40 having formed therein slanted slots 42 through which arepassed armor elements 44. Various types of materials and thicknesses canbe used for the envelopes structure and the slotted spar members providefor the thickness, height, angle and center-to-center distances requiredto locate the armor insert elements for the specific armor moduleconcerned. The longer length dimension of the spar may be flanged tofacilitate joining to the skins by mechanical (rivets, etc.) or welding(resistance, spots, etc.) methods. The number of spars used will varydepending on the overall armor module design that is required. The sparsare located and joined to the skins in such a way that the insertelement can be assembled through loosely fitted slots without difficultyand without great force. The armor insert elements can also be joined tothe skin by welding to secure them in their locations. Securing thearmor elements can also be accomplished by many other methods, forexample, retaining plates can be fastened at opposite ends of the skinsand parallel to the spars or after assembly of the armor inserts the endof the skins can be coined or swadged to provide a retainingarrangement.

During an attack the fired projectile contacts first the outer surfaceof the prefabricated applique envelope or container and pierces same. Itnext contacts the inserted steel, or the like, elements supported withinthe envelope which tend to shatter or break up the projectile. Thevehicle armor then absorbs the resultant dispersion of fragments.

There has been disclosed herein a new and unique applique armorcomprising a prefabricated lightweight envelope constructed of aluminum,or the like, having mounted therein angularly spaced slots adapted toreceive one or more insert armor elements which may be inserted orremoved from the envelope as desired, said envelope being designed to bedetachably affixed to the back-up plate of an armored vehicle directcontact or some predetermined space or distance the same being snappedonto the vehicle by means of opposed supporting rails or channelmembers. The interior of the envelope may be filled with various typesof plastic materials for added protection, if desired. The deviceprovides adjustable armor protection, the same being achieved by merelyaltering the type of thickness of the high hardness armor elementsplaced in the designated holding slots or spacing the envelope orapplique at some stand-off distance. The envelope concept eliminatescost and complexities of extensive fabrication by welding. As insertelements, high hardness metals or surface treated metals or otherdesirable material combinations, i.e., ceramic high hardness steel, highcarbon alloyed steels, carburaized steels, nitrided steels and rollbonded steels which were impossible or too dificult to fabricate bywelding are now made feasible for application. This, in turn, canenhance overall armor effectiveness. The design provides an armorapplique in ideal form for easy application to a vehicle structure. Itis a self-contained package which can be handled and transported orstored in a convenient fashion and lends itself to rebuild ormodification in the field and is adaptable for use against all smallarms weapon threats. The small size of insert elements allows customizedtreatment for optimum ballistic properties, minimizes manufacturingproblems encountered when either manufacturing or fabricating an armormaterial in large sections (decarburization, distortion, cutting,shaping, handling, heat treatment, equipment availability, etc.),enhances the concept of stock piling armor elements, bars of low cost500 BHN alloy (i.e., XAR-30) steel or harder 600 BHN alloy steel 0.450,plain high carbon steel 1080 or ceramic tile (backed with doron or highhardness steel) for ready use either as a field item to armor orup-armor existing equipment or for new design and assures high qualitylevels at minimal costs. The external appearance does not reveal anysalient armor feature (retains a conventional plate look) and alsooffers inherent buoyancy to enhance vehicle floatation requirements.

We wish it to be understood that we do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

We claim: 7

1. An armored panel for use in combination with an armored vehiclecomprising,

An envelope-type armored panel to be positioned on said vehicle, saidpanel having mounted therein a plurality of transverse supportingmembers arranged within said envelope,

insert armor members positioned in said envelope,

opposed channel members having spring means mounted therein tospringably support said armored panel within said channel members, and,

additional bolt-type means to prevent movement of said panel within saidchannel members once said panel has been mounted in said channelmembers.

2. An armored panel for use in combination with an armored vehicle, asset forth in claim 1,wherein,

said envelope-type panel member has mounted therein a plurality, inparallel, transverse supporting members,

and having additional armor insert supports diagonally disposed withinthe spaces formed by said parallel transverse supports.

3. An armored panel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plurality ofsuperimposed transverse supporting members are arranged in parallelsupporting relationship to receive and support insert armor members.

4. An armored panel as set forth in claim 3 wherein the plurality ofsuperimposed transverse supporting members are arranged in diagonalrelationship with respect to the skin members.

5. An armored panel as set forth in claim ll, wherein, the spaces formedbetween said transverse armor supporting members are adapted to receivefill material for buoyancy to overall vehicle design.

6. An armored panel as set forth in claim ll wherein said envelope-typepanel comprises opposed front and back skin members, a plurality of sparmembers disposed between said skin members, said spar members havingformed therein angularly arranged slots adapted to receive in transverserelationship armor insert members.

7. An envelope-type panel as set forth in claim 6, wherein, said slottedspar members are arranged vertically and spaced apart between saidopposed skin

1. An armored panel for use in combination with an armored vehiclecomprising, An envelope-type armored panel to be positioned on saidvehicle, said panel having mounted therein a plurality of transversesupporting members arranged within said envelope, insert armor memberspositioned in said envelope, opposed channel members having spring meansmounted therein to springably support said armored panel within saidchannel members, and, additional bolt-type means to prevent movement ofsaid panel within said channel members once said panel has been mountedin said channel members.
 2. An armored panel for use in Combination withan armored vehicle, as set forth in claim 1, wherein, said envelope-typepanel member has mounted therein a plurality, in parallel, transversesupporting members, and having additional armor insert supportsdiagonally disposed within the spaces formed by said parallel transversesupports.
 3. An armored panel as set forth in claim 1 wherein theplurality of superimposed transverse supporting members are arranged inparallel supporting relationship to receive and support insert armormembers.
 4. An armored panel as set forth in claim 3 wherein theplurality of superimposed transverse supporting members are arranged indiagonal relationship with respect to the skin members.
 5. An armoredpanel as set forth in claim 1, wherein, the spaces formed between saidtransverse armor supporting members are adapted to receive fill materialfor buoyancy to overall vehicle design.
 6. An armored panel as set forthin claim 1 wherein said envelope-type panel comprises opposed front andback skin members, a plurality of spar members disposed between saidskin members, said spar members having formed therein angularly arrangedslots adapted to receive in transverse relationship armor insertmembers.
 7. An envelope-type panel as set forth in claim 6, wherein,said slotted spar members are arranged vertically and spaced apartbetween said opposed skin members.